Local legend passes away

The local table tennis community was in shock last week following the news that John Cunningham passed away.

Mr Cunningham, 71, who was regular table tennis contributor to the Times, lost his three-year battle with cancer at his Lower Earley home on Friday.

He had been involved in table tennis for much of his adult life, and also spent seven years as the chairman of the Wokingham Sports Council.

He was also a lecturer at the Arborfield Apprentices College at the garrison.

Since the news of his death, tributes to Mr Cunningham have flooded in as people wish to pay homage to a legend of local sport.

Allan Bruton, chairman of the Bracknell, Wokingham & District Table Tennis Association (BWDTTA), said: “His one aim in life was to promote table tennis and to this end he joined the BWDTTA as press officer in 1990 and became our coaching officer in 1996.

“Neadless to say his input will be very sorely missed.

“Other bodies may in time turn up to take on his roles, but that level of commitment and drive will without doubt take some finding.

“No one person should have to deal with so many knockdowns healthwise as John has over the past few years, those days of suffering are now done.

“Rest in peace John”

Former English table tennis international Matthew Syed said: “John Cunningham was one of the most hardworking, diligent, effective and life-changing table tennis coaches of modern times.

“More importantly, he was a man of huge decency and moral courage, whose impact on both his sport and the local community will endure.

“I first got to know John during my run for Parliament in 2001 (John was a member of the local Labour party) and was instantly struck by his human warmth and selfless desire to help others.

“We spent a lot of time together, travelling to local schools and talking about how to improve table tennis in the area.

“His friendship made those times, for me, particularly special.

“John was also a man who possessed huge talent and formidable organisational skills, but was always content to remain in the background, a tribute to his humility.

“Ultimately, there are certain people in life who have the capacity to raise the spirits and elevate the aspirations of those they come into contact with; men and women whose life-force and essential goodness enable them to energise and vitalise those they touch.